THE SKYLARK. 107 



pursue their course to Syria and Egypt, from 

 whence, it is asserted, they spread into Nubia 

 and Abyssinia. The lark has been called the 

 chief musician of the fields, as the nightingale 

 is of the woods. The matin song of the lark was 

 the established signal for the reapers in ancient 

 Greece to begin their labours. 



" The lark," says Bewick, " is diffused almost 

 universally throughout Europe ; it is every 

 where extremely prolific. It makes its nest on 

 the ground between two clods of earth, and lines 

 it with dried grass and roots. The female lays 

 four or five eggs, of a greyish brown, marked 

 with darker spots : she has generally two broods 

 in the year, and sits only about fifteen days. 

 As soon as the young have escaped from the 

 nest, the attachment of the parent seems to in- 

 crease ; she flutters over their heads, directs all 

 their motions, and is ever ready to screen them 

 from danger." 



THE SKYLARK. 



Gay bird of the sky 



Ascending on high, 



And singing sweet songs in the morning hour, 

 While the dew still rests on the opening flower, 

 And thy wing is wet by the summer shower. 



